Students to serve refugees in Nassau, Bahamas

During spring break, 12 students will be traveling to Nassau, Bahamas, for an international service trip Sunday, March 4, through Friday, March 9. Led by Dr. Terri Small, professor of nursing, and Lina Hixson, interim director of the RN/BSN Program and assistant professor of nursing, students will provide health services to patients in the area.

According to Small, the group will set up a health clinic in a Nazarene church, assess patients and distribute medications as necessary. Small said they will work with a local physician to provide health education and care to Haitian refugees without access to healthcare.

“Students are able to practice their assessment skills with a different culture, many of whom only speak Creole,” said Small.

Small has served on seven similar service trips. She said this trip is a great way for students to develop their skills as nurses, while helping a community. For Small, the most rewarding part of the trip is “seeing students further develop their nursing skills, as well as re-connecting with friends” from previous trips.

Gabriella Webber, post-senior nursing major from Core, West Virginia (North Marion High School)

Harry Zaremba, junior nursing major from South Park, Pennsylvania (South Park High School)

For more information, contact Kelley Hardie at 724-852-3461.

Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with three additional sites located in the Pittsburgh region. The University is one of only 22 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.